Downtown Greenwich Makes Room for Athena Books
Book culture is booming in Greenwich, and local book lovers have plenty of reason to celebrate.
Old Greenwich’s Athena Books is expanding downtown with a second location. Co-owned by husband-and-wife duo Odysseas Kostas and Jennifer Bird, the original shop at 228 Sound Beach Avenue has been a community staple since opening its doors in 2021.
Now, the team is bringing that same "Gathering Place" magic straight to downtown Greenwich. Tucked into a freshly renovated space on Lewis Street—sandwiched between Bruce Park Sports (104 Mason St.) and the nearby Black Forest Pastry Shop (52 Lewis St.)—the new storefront is already sporting a crisp blue awning and building serious local buzz ahead of its grand opening in the coming weeks.
Greenwich's Thriving Literary Scene
While downtown and Old Greenwich house the town's commercial bookshop anchors, literary culture thrives across every corner of Greenwich. In neighboring hamlets like Cos Cob and Byram, local libraries serve as vibrant community hubs with robust programming, author events, bilingual collections, and active book swaps—proving that the appetite for reading runs deep throughout town.
Even the Greenwich Recycling Center (the "Town Dump") boasts a legendary Book Shed swap that keeps thousands of stories in circulation. And don't forget Dogwood Books & Gifts at Christ Church Greenwich, a hidden gem offering a cozy coffee nook, author talks, and charitable book sales.
What About Diane's Books?
Rest assured, Diane’s Books at 8A Grigg Street isn't going anywhere. Founded in 1990 by Diane Garrett at a time when Greenwich was home to seven independent bookstores, Diane’s is a battle-tested survivor that outlasted big-box retailers and e-commerce giants alike.
Why? It has the largest children's book collection in the country, iconic traditions like their signature Red Reading Wagons (custom-packed with books and plush toys for shower and birthday gifts), a steadfast "Read Out Loud" mission, highly personalized recommendations and philanthropic initiatives like "Be an Angel."
Between the Lines: Athena's expansion demonstrates that Greenwich has a deep appetite for reading and a strong appreciation for community-focused retail. Kudos to Odysseas, Jennifer, and the Athena team.